ISEKI’s fab four at Stowe School

/in , /by

ISEKI’s fab four at Stowe School: Grounds Manager Steve Curley has revealed why Stowe School has purchased four different ISEKI machines in just three years.

Steve has been working at Stowe, a leading public school in Buckinghamshire for an incredible twenty-nine years. Overseeing a team of fifteen members of staff, Steve is responsible for three-hundred acres of sports fields and gardens including a nine-hole golf course.

ISEKI's fab four at Stowe School

ISEKI’s fab four at Stowe School

In maintaining such a vast area of land, Steve inevitably has a wide range of equipment, but he claims his ISEKI fleet covers most bases.

It all started with the ISEKI TG6675 compact tractor, as he explains.

“We needed something with a bit more horsepower to enable us to do heavier work,” said Steve. “After a few demonstrations of various tractors from our local dealer RT Machinery, we decided to get the TG6675, with 65-horsepower, and that has allowed us to use some implements and attachments that we were not previously able to. It’s been fantastic for us.”

The ISEKI TG6675 sets the benchmark for compact tractor performance. It is built to exceptional standards of quality, starting from the front lights through to the back three-point linkage. It is available with ROPS, or a factory fitted, fully air-conditioned category 2 cabin. All instruments and gauges are easy to read and indicate driving information like engine speed, travelling speed, and PTO speed can be viewed at a glance. All levers are ergonomically located around the driving seat and there is ample space for the driver’s comfort

Based on the success of the TG6675, he then purchased an ISEKI TLE3400 shortly after.

“This mainly does all of our trailer work and helps us pick up the rubbish,” said Steve. “With it being a boarding school, it is like a small town, and we must pick up the rubbish twice a day, every day. We end up with twenty trailer loads of waste per day and we put that in compactors – so this is ideal to pull the trailers.”

The TLE3400 is ISEKI’s new premium economy tractor. This 38 horse-power tractor has a three-speed hydrostatic transmission and a lift capacity of 1000 kg. It is supplied with agricultural or turf tyres as standard. An optional front loader is also available.

“After purchasing these two machines, we decided to purchase the ISEKI TG6490 IQ compact tractor for top dressing and slitting,” continued Steve.

“This has been very successful for us and one of the main reasons for buying it was because of the IQ gearbox which enables us to go up and down the gears very easily.”

As Steve says, the ISEKI TG6490 features an IQ dual clutch transmission which offers the control of a manual with the convenience of an automatic. There are eight main gears and three ranges. Gears are changed by simply moving the gear lever through the straight shift gate.

Steve purchased his fourth ISEKI machine when he felt the time had come to upgrade the school’s ride-on mower. The ISEKI SXG323 + is the ultimate in cut and collection mowers and offers power, performance, and unsurpassed productivity. A 48” (1.22M) mower deck provides a superior quality of cut while the large capacity, high torque 1123cc diesel engine is powerful and fuel efficient. Furthermore, the SXG323+ performs exceptionally even in the wet conditions, allowing you to work without the weather restricting you.

“The capacity of cut is a lot bigger than our old mower and we can get more grass in the box,” said Steve. “It also has a high tail lift which enables us to put it on a trailer straight away if needs be, so we are not double handling the grass. The other bonus is that it is costing us a lot less to run than our old petrol mower. We use this around most of the gardens and it performs brilliantly.

“Overall, these ISEKI machines have been fantastic value for money. They are very easy to service, and we’ve not had any problems whatsoever. The whole team has enjoyed working with them.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Suståne keeps Rushmore Golf Club ‘green’

/in , /by

Suståne keeps Rushmore Golf Club ‘green’: While the course at Rushmore Golf Club may be a tale of two halves, the approach to nutrition is wholly focussed on sustainability – with Course Manager Jaime Acton very proud of the six years that the greens have now been completely chemical-free.

Alongside cultural practices and an overseeding programme, much of the success Jaime attributes to products from the Suståne range of organic fertilisers which have delivered outstanding plant health, strength and resilience.

Suståne keeps Rushmore Golf Club ‘green’

Suståne keeps Rushmore Golf Club ‘green’

With the county line between Wiltshire and Dorset cutting straight through the ancient estate within which Rushmore is situated, the course delivers mature parkland or a more modern challenge depending on which of the 18 holes you’re on! The estate has sustainability at its heart, an ethos which Jaime and his team share and put into practice with the Suståne products. “When I took over almost 10 years ago, I inherited quite a heavy feeding regime, largely based on synthetic fertilisers” explains Jaime.

“I had used formulations from Suståne in previous roles, and knowing what they could do, began ‘weening’ the greens away from the synthetic feeds and the additional chemicals this programme required, and onto a primarily organic regime.” Working closely alongside technical representatives from local distributor AGS, the Suståne programme has been refined over the years depending on the soil’s requirements – now consisting of 6-2-4 Turf Revival in the summer and 5-2-4+Fe for feeds throughout the cooler months.

Suståne 6-2-4 is specifically formulated to provide the right nutrients to assist with post-maintenance recovery and plant stress. In addition to water-soluble and organic sources of Nitrogen, 6-2-4 features Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae which has been enhancing the germination of Jaime’s bent overseeding programme. “We apply 6-2-4 every six to eight weeks at 25g/m2 which tends to correlate with our overseeding work meaning the seed is sown straight into that nutrition. The plant is strong and resilient enough to cope with the pressures of that period, including disease, and specifically Anthracnose.”

Jaime continues, “In the autumn and winter we continue the dormant feeding with Suståne 5-2-4 which keeps microbial levels up, allowing us to protect against disease rather than having to react to it. The small amount of Iron in this formulation also helps to give us good winter colour.”

“While we haven’t used any herbicides or fungicides for six years, that’s not to say we haven’t had disease! But what we do get we can manage by reducing the stress and encouraging the plant to grow again.” He concludes, “With our Suståne programme, we are feeding the soil rather than the plant, getting the nutritional needs right from the ground up and allowing the plant to take everything it needs to remain strong and healthy.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Nationwide dealer coverage from STAR EV in first year

/in , /by

Nationwide dealer coverage from STAR EV in first year: The arrival of STAR EV, a leading global electric utility vehicles manufacturer, in the UK has achieved nationwide dealer coverage in its first year.

Reesink e-Vehicles, the UK distributor for the brand, is proud to confirm there are eight dealers stocking STAR EV alongside the company’s branches, meaning a total of 12 outlets are stockists in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Nationwide dealer coverage from STAR EV in first year

Nationwide dealer coverage from STAR EV in first year

Dave French, sales manager for Reesink e-Vehicles, says it’s a fantastic start: “The response to the STAR EV brand and the range of electric transport options it brings to the UK has surpassed expectation. We knew it would prove popular, as electric vehicles are a hot topic, but people have responded particularly favourably to Reesink e-vehicles, and STAR EV as a brand.

“Like us, dealers have recognised the market for all-electric products is buoyant, as is the range of customers they appeal to. In a year we’ve seen customers from golf clubs, sports stadiums, holiday/caravan parks, private schools and estates all invest in STAR EV, appreciative of the good mileage per charge, on-board charging and extensive warranty they bring.”

The dealers bringing STAR EV to businesses across the UK are: John Osman Groundscare (North Wales), Devon Garden Machinery (South West England), Cheshire Turf Machinery (North West England), Laird Grass Machinery (Northern Ireland), Terry Harrison Machinery (South Wales), Lloyd Ltd (North England and South Scotland), Russells (North/East Midlands England) and AJ Mowers (West England). Alongside Reesink Scotland, Reesink Burwell (East Anglia and Midlands), Reesink Sheffield Park (South East) and Reesink South West and Midlands.

The STAR EV range consists of 28 electric models for all green transportation needs and features passenger vehicles of up to 23 people and small, medium and large capacity electric UTVs.

Dave continues: “There’s so much choice within the range, alongside the option to configure vehicles to the exact requirements for the job. The Capella utility vehicle series, for example, has eight different standard configurations, offering payloads from 150-670kgs and carrying up to four people as well as cargo.”

With minimal maintenance and zero emissions, these machines are dependable and cost less to own than their fuelled equivalents, often lasting three to four times as long, it’s easy to see why so many dealers are taking on the range.

To talk to Reesink e-Vehicles about STAR EV, call 01480 226800 or go online at reesink-evehicles.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

EVO woodchippers at the double

/in , /by

EVO woodchippers at the double: As a longstanding GreenMech customer, Rob Drinkwater of Drinkwater Tree Services is the latest in a growing list of tree surgeons to be seriously impressed by the improvements made with their revolutionary EVO Series… so much so, he bought two!

Delivered in early 2022, the 6” EVO 165P was swiftly joined by an 8” EVO 205D just a few weeks later, both of which are delivering performance on par with the first-class GreenMech service and support.

EVO woodchippers at the double

EVO woodchippers at the double

Rob set up on his own 17 years ago and undertakes all areas of domestic tree and hedge maintenance, alongside his team of four, in and around Weston-Super-Mare. “I have always used GreenMech woodchippers, mostly because the advice and support we’ve had from them and our local dealer – GA Groundcare – over the years has always been second to none” says Rob. “When the time was right to upgrade, we asked GA Groundcare what they had, and they brought along the EVO 165P. My team and I were so impressed by what we saw we didn’t even ask the price!”

The EVO 165P Sub-750 features all the key elements of the EVO series such as a wide infeed chute, horizontal rollers and heavy-duty flywheel in a sub 750kg package – powered by a 37hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard petrol engine. “The beauty of this machine is the manoeuvrability. It’s light and nimble enough for us to get it right where we want it for domestic jobs. It’s the perfect combination of versatility, performance and power.”

“We then wanted a larger machine for take downs and site clearances so the EVO 205D was the obvious choice. The power from the 50hp engine means we can process large material, really quickly and despite its size, it’s surprisingly quiet. That is great when we’re working in close proximity to buildings.” The backbone of the EVO 205D’s design is a deep beam, high tensile steel chassis providing tremendous strength and robust performance – whilst providing unrivalled protection and noise insulation for the engine.

“Having both a 6” and 8” machine on our fleet means we have the flexibility to choose the best machine to suit the job at hand.” Rob concludes, “The design and developments with the EVO series are evident. It’s great to see GreenMech with a product that’s now on par with competitor offerings, and that matches the other areas of their offering which have always been excellent.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.